Reoccurring kidney stones and kidney infections?

Question

I have reoccurring kidney stones and infections. Every time i have to go to the dr or the er they are worse and worse. I had a kidney stent, and after it was removed i got worse again. I am now having lithotripsy today to break up the stones, and a possible biopsy. Are there any diseases or serious conditions that can cause this?

Answer 1

Kidney stone prevention

All individuals who have experienced kidney stones should take some specific preventive measures to prevent recurrence. The following are some general observations:

• The most important dietary recommendations for reducing the risk for calcium stones are increasing fluid intake, restricting sodium, and reducing protein intake.

• A lower risk for calcium stones is also associated with higher potassium intake.

• A high calcium diet does not appear to increase the risk for kidney stones as long as it also contains plenty of fluids and dietary potassium and phosphate. (Increasing calcium alone may pose a modest risk for stones.)

• Patients should try to correct any dietary habits that cause acidic or alkaline imbalances in the urine that promote stone formation.

Because kidney stone types may require specific dietary changes, patients should work with their physicians to develop an individualized plan. It should be stressed that nutritional considerations are very important in preventing recurrence, and patients should be vigilant in complying with the proper diet.

Fluids (Water, Juice, and Other Beverages)

Good voiding habits, particularly frequent urination, is important. Therefore, of all the preventive recommendations, drinking enough fluid is the most important guideline for people with any type of kidney stones.

• In general, patients with calcium or uric acid stones should drink at least 10 full glasses of fluid each day (at least half should be water). This includes one with each meal and drinking fluids at night, even if it means getting up from sleep. Fluid intake should produce at least two and a half quarts of urine each day.

• More water (over a gallon, or 16 8-ounce cups, every day) is needed to prevent cystine stones, and it must be drunk at regular intervals throughout the night and day.

In all cases, more fluid is needed after exertion and during times of stress. If fluid intake is sufficient, the urine should be pale and almost watery, not dark and yellow.

Water. Although water is best, it may vary depending on its source. Variations in water itself may have different impacts. One study reported that drinking hard tap water increased urinary calcium concentration by 50% compared to soft bottled water. On the other hand, mineral water containing both calcium and magnesium may reduce several risk factors for both calcium and uric acid stone formation.

Juices and Specific Effects.

Other beverages have various positive or negative effects, depending on the type of stone:

• Lemon Juice. Drinking one-half cup of pure lemon juice (enough to make eight glasses of lemonade) every day raises citrate levels in the urine, which might protect against calcium stones. (While orange juice also increases citrate levels, it does not lower calcium and it raises oxalate levels. It is, therefore, not recommended.)

• Cranberry and Apple Juice. Apple and cranberry juice contain oxalates, and both have been associated with a higher risk for risk for calcium oxalate stones. Cranberry juice has properties that may increase the risk for both calcium oxalate and uric acid stones.

• On the other hand, cranberry juice helps prevent urinary tract infections and so may be helpful for reducing the risk for struvite and brushite stones. (These stones are far less common, however.)

• Blackcurrent Juice. In one study, blackcurrent juice reduced acidity and was associated with protection against uric acid stones.

• Grapefruit Juice. A number of studies have found a risk for stones from drinking grapefruit juice. In one study, just one 8-ounce cup of grapefruit juice per day increased the risk for forming stones by 44%.

Other Beverages and Their Effects on Stone Formation.

• Soft Drinks. Cola can severely reduce citrate in the urine and should be avoided. Many soft drinks contain phosphoric acid, which increases the risk for stones. Some research shows that drinking one quart (less than three 12-ounce cans) of soda per week may increase a person's risk of developing stones by 15%.

• Alcohol. Wine may be protective against kidney stones. A study conducted in Finland, however, suggests that the risk of developing stones decreases with beer consumption. It should be noted that beer is high in oxalates. Beer and other alcoholic beverages also contain purines, which may increase the specific risk for the less common uric acid stones in susceptible people. Binge drinking, in any case, increases uric acid and the risk for stones

• Coffee and Tea. Some research as reported a lower risk for stones with tea and both regular and decaffeinated coffee.

Low-Salt and Low-Protein Diets

In a long-term 2002 study of men with calcium oxalate stones and high levels of urinary calcium, a low-sodium, low-protein diet containing normal levels of calcium dramatically reduced the recurrence of stones compared to a diet that was simply low in calcium.

Salt Restriction. Because salt intake